Career

Tennis

Carillo played on the women's professional tennis circuit from 1977 to 1980. She was ranked as high as World No. 33, in the Women's Tennis Association Rankings, from January through March 1980, then retired due to knee injuries.[5]

Sportscasting

Tennis coverage

Carillo began her television career working for USA Network from 1980 through 1987, PBS from 1981 through 1986 and MSG from 1981 through 1988. She started with ESPN in 1988 and continued with them for nine years, returning in 2003. Her work on the U.S. Open for CBS Sports began in 1986, and continues to the present. In addition, Carillo worked as both a host and analyst on HBO's Wimbledon coverage from 1996 to 1999, and on Turner Sports' coverage of Wimbledon from 2000 to 2002. In May 2003, Carillo joined NBC Sports as an analyst on the network's French Open and Wimbledon coverage, having made her debut as an analyst on NBC for the 1996 Family Circle Cup tennis event. Also, she currently does commentary on The Tennis Channel.

At the 2004 Athens Games, Carillo earned critical praise in her debut as a full-time Olympic host on Bravo's coverage in addition to anchoring USA Network's live, Grand Slam-style coverage of the tennis gold medal finals. She delivered a lengthy, well-received commentary on badminton during this coverage.[9]

Carillo served as late-night show host, closing ceremony host, and "Friend of Bob" for the 2008 Beijing Games, her ninth Olympic assignment and her sixth with NBC. Her role focused on cultural commentary and "slice of life" pieces about China.[10] She repeated these duties – late-night host and human-interest reporter – for NBC in their coverage of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, and the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. She was also one of the torch bearers during the torch's tour through Canada.

Mary Carillo is a commentator for the Hallmark Channel special Paw Star Game premiering July 12, 2015. “At best, baby cats have the barest, most rudimentary grasp of the rules and regulations of American football and baseball,” says Carillo. “And, that's really okay with me. Frankly, watching kittens play any sport is going to be endearing and adorable.”[11] Carillo is also a commentator for Hallmark's Kitten Bowl.[12]

Filmography

Board membership

Awards and honors

Carillo received two Peabody Award, one of television's highest honors, for co-writing with Frank Deford the HBO documentary Dare to Compete: The Struggle of Women in Sport, and a Billie Jean King documentary.

Won the ITF's 2015 Philippee Chatrier Award, for her outstanding contribution to tennis.

Won a 2016 (Annalee) Thurston Award, for her storied sportscasting career.

Personal life

Carillo splits her time between Naples, Florida, and New York City's Greenwich Village. She was married for 15 years to Australian tennis instructor Bill Bowden. They divorced in 1998 and have two children, Anthony (b. August 8, 1987) and Rachel (b. October 5, 1991). Her brother is the author Charlie Carillo. She is a distant cousin of sports-radio host Mike Francesa. Their relationship was confirmed when she was a guest on his show.

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